“A fairy-tale, belle époque palace, complete with parkland, drinking fountains, Art Nouveau buildings, beautiful interiors with tasteful colour schemes and state of the art thermal spa and a challenging, Cameron & Powell, 18 hole golf course. An indulgent choice.”

Hotel review

Originally built in 1910 for the King, who used to come and take the waters here, the revolution intervened just before his inaugural visit. Completely renovated and restored to its former glory in 2010, the interiors behind the palace’s pink façade now boast hand-painted silk wallpapers and hand-woven silk rugs creating an opulent feel which matches the original sweeping staircase and period detail.

The palace is set within a park of 250 acres, dotted with magnolias and camellias and century old sequoia trees, as well as four, beautifully restored, working mineral water pavilions which are open to the public in order that they can benefit from the waters.

The spa, designed in 2010 by Pritzker prize winning architect, Álvaro Siza Vieira, is an essay in white on white marble and offers treatments which draw on the mineral-rich thermal waters and their product line of Aromatherapy Associates. There are two swimming pools, one indoor and one out and a golf course re-designed by Cameron & Powell from the original, 1936, 9-hole course by Philip Mackenzie Ross, to an 18-hole, par 72 course.

The seventy rooms are elegant and come in muted colours with tiled floors in duck egg blues and browns.

The 19th century Club House is the setting for informal lunches with dishes such as Caesar salad, steaks and sandwiches whilst the Grand Ballroom, with a hand-woven carpet, curtains of damask silk and golden wallpaper offers dishes that draw on regional favourites with a gourmet twist.

Mary Lussiana
Mary Lussiana Review published: 21/12/2023

Recommended for

  • Country Escape

    • An opulent palace in a remote nothern Portugal thermal spa town, perfect for a stylish county retreat.
  • Other Activities

    • Relax and unwind with a treatment using theraputic mineral waters in the Vidago Palace Hotel Spa.
  • Great walks

    • Set within a magnificent centenary park means walks start straight from the front door.
  • Cycling

    • Grab one of the hotel bikes and head out to explore the 250 acres of scenic parkland.
  • Golf

    • Check out the nearby challenging 72 par course designed by the firm Cameron & Powell.
  • Birdwatching

    • Don't forget to pack your binoculars, this is wonderful birdwatching country.
  • Wine tasting

    • Enjoy Douro Valley wine tastings in the Palace's well stocked Cellar.
  • Child friendly

    • Babysitting services are available
  • Views

  • Quiet

  • Conference facilities

  • Secluded setting

  • Luxury

  • Opulent

  • Spa

  • Restaurant

  • Historic

  • Gym

  • Free wifi

  • Traditional

  • Charming

  • Romantic

Facilities

  • Rooms

    70 rooms in this hotel
  • Child friendly

    Babysitting services are available
  • Garden

    250 acres of parkland
  • Parking

    Free parking
  • Concierge

    24hour
  • Bicycles available

  • Bar

  • Safe

  • Conference facilities

  • Airport transfer

  • Internet

  • Sauna/Steam

  • Meeting Room

  • Cots available

  • Massage

  • Private dining room

  • Air conditioning

  • Suites

  • Spa

  • Restaurant

  • Swimming Pool

  • Gym

  • 24 Hour room service

  • Views

  • Hot Tub

  • Satellite / Cable TV

  • Wifi

  • Free wifi

Activities

  • Other Activities

    • Relax and unwind with a treatment using theraputic mineral waters in the Vidago Palace Hotel Spa.
  • Great walks

    • Set within a magnificent centenary park means walks start straight from the front door.
  • Cycling

    • Grab one of the hotel bikes and head out to explore the 250 acres of scenic parkland.
  • Golf

    • Check out the nearby challenging 72 par course designed by the firm Cameron & Powell.
  • Birdwatching

    • Don't forget to pack your binoculars, this is wonderful birdwatching country.
  • Wine tasting

    • Enjoy Douro Valley wine tastings in the Palace's well stocked Cellar.

Map & Location

Other reviews

Vidago Palace

"The belle-époque pink façade houses interiors which fit perfectly with the fairytale feel of Vidago, from the grand staircase to the hand-made, bespoke rugs and tapestries, mosaic floors and gilded ceilings."

Originally published by The Telegraph

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